Skill rotating flasher game



1934- D. SCHNEIDER ET AL 1,981,672

SKILL ROTATIl IG FLASHER GAME Original Filed Ju ly 28, 1952 Pi E} E INVENTORS Av/ .scHNE/oe 3 P J. RIEHS 'ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED .TES

PTENT oFFIce Application July 28, 1932, Serial No. 625,274 Renewed May 24, 1934 7 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvement in a skill rotating flasher game.

The invention has for an object the construction of the device mentioned which is characterized by the provision of a plurality of numbered switches and a lamp board with corresponding lamps, and a mechanism which is capable of closing the circuit through the various lamps in conjunction with operation of said switches and the provision of an arrangement whereby upon operation of any specific switch at the proper instant, a device can be stopped, and a person so doing being the lucky person winning the prize.

As a still further object of this invention it is proposed to provide a rotative disc carrying a hammer operatable by an electric mechanism and the provision of a plurality of catch elements adapted to engage and hold the disc upon g0 proper striking of said hammer controlled by the operation of a circuit including a manual operated switch.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a plurality of indicating lamps used in conjunction with the arrangement described in the previous paragraph to indicate the ap proximate position of the hammer and the players.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an arrangement whereby the disc is rotated by an electric motor and means being interposed to allow stoppage of rotation of the disc While the electric motor continues its rotation.

Furthermore, as another object it is proposed to provide a device of the class mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the controlling mechanism of the device.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view looking in the 65 direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device. a

Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of another embodiment of the invention..

The skill rotating flasher according. to this in: QOi vention comprises a plurality of circuits each including numbered manual switches 10, a pair of adjacent contacts 11 adapted to be bridged for closing the circuit and numbered signal lamps 12. I

The switches 10 are arranged up on a counter 13 so that persons playing the game may stand before the counter and operate the switches according totheir luck and skill. The indicating lamps 12 are arranged further back and above 7 03- the counter 13 and they are supported by a wall element 14. The arrangement allows the players to watch the board for the signalling of the approximate position of the controlled mechanism for the device.

The control mechanism comprises a disc 15 rotatively mounted and formed with a bayonet opening 16 near its periphery. Means is provided for rotating this disc and includes a pair of pulleys 17, 18 connected by a belt 19 capable of transmitting rotations and also capable of slipping when the disc 15 is held so that a driving motor connected with the mechanism may continue its operation. Such driving motor is indicated by reference numeral 20 and is shown 8.6.; connected with a gear reduction system within casing 21. The driving shaft 22 extends from the casing 21 and is provided with a beveled gear 23 meshing with another gear 24 upon the vertical shaft 25 rotatively supported andcarry- 90. ing the said disc 15. e

A plurality of depressible plungers 26 are supported above the disc 15 over its periphery and are adapted to be depressed for engaging within the bayonet slot 16 for stopping rotating of the disc 15. Each of the plungers' 26' is slidably mounted upon a bracket 27 secured upon a stationary member 28. A spring29 is arranged coaxially upon each of the plungers'and acts between the plungers and the brackets 27 to 0 hold the plungers extended. The lower end of each of the plungers is capable of entering the large portion of the bayonet opening 16 and upon turning of the disc 15 engage beneath the reduced portion of the opening 16 to latch the disc 15 against further turning.

A hammer 30 is pivotally supported at 31 upon a bracket 32 secured on the disc 15. This hammer has a swivelled head 33 adapted to swing around the pintle screw 34. This head has a pointed striking end 35 capable of hitting the top of any of the plungers which are semispherical as shown in Fig. 3, necessitating striking at the right moment to cause the hammer to depress the particular plunger sufiiciently to stop turning of the disc 15 by reason of the plunger engaging the bayonet opening. A spring 36 is arranged upon the pivot point of the hammer 30 and normally moves the hammer to a raised position. An electromagnet 3'7 is mounted beneath the hammer 30 and is adapted upon energization to cause the hammer to move downwards.

An electric circuit is arranged upon the disc 15 and includes in series a contact 38, the electromagnet 37 and another contact 39. Contacts 38 and 39 are adapted to engage against the contacts 11 during operation of the device. For this purpose a disc 40 is mounted upon the shaft to rotate with the shaft, and this disc carries contacts 38 and 39. These contacts ride over the contacts 11 arranged in concentric circles around the shaft 25 on a stationary platform 41.

The operation of the device is as follows: R0-

4 tations from the electric motor 20 are transmitted to cause turning of the disc 15. As the disc turns the bayonet opening 16 will pass around and be disposed for a short period of time beneath each of the plungers 26. The players close their own switches 10 in an attempt to cause. the hammer to strike their particular plunger to arrest further rotation of the disc 15. For example, assume player No. 1 to close his switch 10, a circuit then extends through the f electromagnet. 37 if the contacts 38 and 39 are engaged with the contacts 11 of the circuit of the particular player. The electromagnet 37 then operates and causes the hammer to move-downwards. If the hammer strikes the 1 plunger 26 to depress it so that it engages the bayonet slot 16 and holds the disc 15 against further rotating, this player wins. If the hammer does not strike correctly the head 33 thereof will merely pivot and. will not properly depress the plunger 26, but the electromagnet 37 operates and lamp No. 1 will become illuminated so that player No. 2 can see and estimate the position of the hammer relative to his plunger and at the proper moment player No. 2 can close hisrswitch with an attempt to win. In this manner the indicating lights indicate the approximate position'of the hammer of the disc and it is up to the players skill or luck to cause proper operation of thehammer so that his particular member wins. When the disc 15 is arrested the belt 19 merely slips, until the disc is released by an attendants and the game continued. v r f In Fig. 6 another embodiment of theinvention has beenillustrated in which the lamps 12 are on separate circuits withrespectto the switches 10. The disc 40 carries the contacts 38 and 39 which are in circuit -.with the magnet 37 and the contacts engage contacts 11 to close the circuit thru' the magnet 37. Additional contacts and 46 are carried by the disc 40 and are adapted to close the circuits with stationary contacts 11', to close thecircuits thru the lamps 12.

With this arrangement the numbered lamps l2 flash in succession and the switch 10 only control operation of thehammer.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to .the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

1. A skill rotating flasher game, comprising a plurality of circuits including numbered manual switches, pairs of adjacent contacts adapted to be bridged for closing the circuits, and numbered signal lamps, and a disc rotatively mounted and formed with a bayonet opening near its periphery, means for rotating said disc, a plurality of depressible plungers supported above the disc and adapted to be depressed to engage selectively in said bayonet opening for holding the disc, a hammer pivotally mounted upon said disc for selectively striking said plungers and having a swivelled head necessitating striking at the correct moment to cause satisfactory depression of the plunger, and a circuit on said disc including an electromagnet for depressing said hammer, and a pair of contacts for successively bridging said pairs of contacts for causing the signal lamps and the electromagnet to be operable upon operation of the manual switches.

2. In a skill rotating flasher game, a disc rotatively mounted and formed with a bayonet opening near its periphery, means for rotating said disc, and means for arresting the rotations of the said disc comprising a plurality of depressible plungers supported above the disc and adapted to be depressed to engage selectively in said bayonet opening for holding the disc, a hammer pivotally mounted upon said disc for selectively striking said plungers and having a swivelled head necessitating striking at the correct momentto cause satisfactory depression of the plunger, and a circuit on said disc including an electromagnet for depressing said hammer and a pair of contacts for receiving an electric current to energize the electromagnet, saidbayonet opening having a large end and a reduced end.

3. In a skill rotating flasher game, a disc rotatively mounted and formed with a bayonet opening near its periphery, means for rotating said disc, and means for arresting the rotations of the said disc comprising a plurality of depressible plungers supported above the disc and adapted to be depressed to engage selectively in said bayonet opening for holding the disc, a hammer pivotally mounted upon said disc for selectively striking said plungers and having a swivelled head necessitating striking "at the correct moment to cause satisfactory depression of the plunger, and a circuit on said disc including an electromagnet for depressing said hammer and a pair of contacts for receiving an electric current to energize the electromagnet, said means for rotating said disc including pulleys, and a belt engaged thereover to allow slipping when said disc is held. H

4. In a skill rotating flasher game, a disc rotatively mounted and formed with a bayonet opening near its periphery, means for rotating said disc, and means for arresting the rotations of the said disc comprisinga plurality of depressible plungers supported above the disc and adapted to be depressed'to engage selectively in said bayonet opening for holding the disc, a hammer pivotally mounted upon said disc for selectively striking said plungersand having a swivelled head necessitating striking at the correct moment tocause satisfactory depression of the plunger, and a circuit on said disc including an electromagnet for depressing said hammer and a pair of contacts for receiving an electric current to energize the electromagnet, each of said depressible plungers being slidably mounted upon a bracket, and resilient means acting between said bracket and plunger to hold the plunger extended.

5. In a skill rotating flasher game, a disc rotatively mounted and formed with a bayonet opening near its periphery, means for rotating said disc, and means for arresting the rotation of the said disc comprising a plurality of depressible plungers supported above the disc and adapted to be depressed to engage selectively in said bayonet opening for holding the disc, a hammer pivotally mounted upon said disc for selectively striking said plungers and having a swivelled head necessitating striking at the correct moment to cause satisfactory depression of the plunger, and a circuit on said disc including an electromagnet for depressing said hammer and a pair of contacts for receiving an electric current to energize the electromagnet, said swivel head having a striking end adapted to cause pivoting of the head if not engaged properly against the plunger.

6. In a skill rotating flasher game, a disc rotatively mounted. and formed with a bayonet opening near its periphery, means for rotating said disc, and means for arresting the rotations of the said disc comprising a plurality of depressible plungers supported above the disc and adapted to be depressed to engage selectively in said bayonet opening for holding the disc, a hammer pivotally mounted upon said disc for selectively striking said plungers and having a swivelled head necessitating striking at the correct moment to cause satisfactory depression of the plunger, and a circuit on said disc including an electromagnet for depressing said hammer and a pair of contacts for receiving an electric current to energize the electromagnet, said disc being fixed upon a rotatable vertical shaft carrying a small disc, and said latter pairs of contacts being mounted upon said small disc, and projecting therefrom against said pairs of adjacent contacts.

'7. A skill rotating flasher game, comprising a plurality of circuits including numbered manual switches, pairs of adjacent contacts adapted to be bridged for closing the circuits, and numbered signal lamps, and a disc rotatively mounted and formed with a bayonet opening near its periphery, means for rotating said disc, a plurality of depressible plungers supported above the disc and adapted to be depressed to engage selectively in said bayonet opening for holding the disc, a hammer pivotally mounted upon said disc 'for selectively striking said plungers and having a swivelled head necessitating striking at the correct moment to cause satisfactory depression of the plunger, and a circuit on said disc including an electromagnet for depressing said hammer, and a pair of contacts for successively bridging said pairs of contacts for causing the signal lamps and the electromagnet to be operated upon operation of the manual switches, said circuits causing independent operation of said lamps irrespective of the closing of said switches.

DAVID SCHNEIDER. RICHARD J. RIEHS. 

